Katia Pupo Campoalegre (CUBARTE)

UNFORTUNATELY music lovers have waited a long time for the work of Alfredo Diez Nieto (1918) to make its way into Cuban recording studios.

Luckily for Cuban and universal culture, Colibrí Productions has compiled part of his creative work in Capricho Cubano, since he is one of the composers who has most contributed to piano-playing on the island. In fact, his work has allowed Cuba to take its place in the development of music for this instrument, and led to his recognition with the Cubadisco 2012 Prize for Composition of the Year.

This first release, which contains just a part of his work, is composed of a double album and a DVD, featuring masterful performances of his pieces by some of Cuba’s most talented and expressive artists, including Leonardo Gell and his Trío Concertante de La Habana; as well as pianist Ulises Hernández, who also produced the recording.

One of the great merits of the disc is that three generations of Cuban concert music were brought together to showcase the respect, admiration and passion felt for these compositions, unquestionably part of the country’s heritage. Additionally the musicians were able to work on all of the pieces directly with Diez Nieto himself, allowing them to appreciate his inspiration and what he hoped to achieve with each one, thus giving each performance a special touch.

The first disc contains performances by Leonardo Gell of Preludio No. 2, Toque and Gran Sonata para piano. While the second CD includes Sonata para violín, played by Maestro Evelio Tieles; Trío No. 3, presented by the Trío Concertante, for violin, clarinet and piano; as well as Trío No. 2, by violinist Fernando Muñoz, cellist Alain Perara and Leonardo Gell; who also participated in Capricho No. 3, along with clarinetist Dianelys Castillo, and in Capricho cubano No. 1 for two pianos, with Maestro Ulises Hernández.

The multi-media DVD offers information, photographs, press articles about the life and work of the man who has contributed so much to national culture, a winner of the National Prize for Music and for Arts Education. A person worthy of admiration, given his modesty and his lack of interest in seeking media attention. A great, absolutely unique, composer.

Notable in his compositions are clearly Cuban touches, with marked influence of our African ancestors apparent in the piano rhythms, reflecting the national

ajiaco (stew) Don Fernando Ortíz so often cites. In fact, reflections of Cuba’s national identity are masterfully complemented with musical currents from the U.S. and Europe.

Alfredo Diez Nieto is a dean of Cuban music education. At 93, he still composes marvelous pieces, making him not only the country’s Composer of the Year in 2012, but the most long-lived, as well.